First Up: Nader
Well. Ralphy boy making waves in recent polls, scarring to death those hoping for a Democratic president, simultaneously delighting those on the left determined to punish Democrats for nominating Kerry.
No doubt about it, Nader's polling is impressive. But, to important points remain:
1) Will he sustain his support through election day, or will his numbers ebb as they did in 2000? and, 2) Does he even make the ballot in the swing states?
I safely assume Nader's numbers will collapse come election day- probably even before- as he has benefitted from disenchanted Deaniacs temporarily bolting the Democrats and mostly favorable coverage in his crusade to thwart liberal causes. So far his campaign has been largely underground- we've heard very little from him- but rest assured he will go all-out with an effort mirroring his campaign against the honorable Al Gore in 2000.
Nader could cause mischief this year, but my gut instinct says he won't have any discernible impact of this year's electoral results. That statement will infuriate his (self-) defeating supporters- but it is my opinion.
Kerry's "Horrible" Week:
Ahh. Kerry's terrible week has finally come- and the faint-of-heart are now predicting catosphre at the polls in November. Nevermind it is March- and the important fact that challengers almost always poll better in November than in March (even the ghastly Goldwater campaign achieved this feat)- but let's remember campaigns have their ups-and-downs. Bush was down after the Democratic convention-well into Sept.- but he never lost his air of inevitabilty and confidence. We're down (depending on the poll) for a week and our efforts this year will be in vain. Republicans never look back but Democrats dawdle and whine.
Of course, we'll be up again and down again- but winning the war is more important than winning a battle (cliche, I know). Polls from Rasmussen (For the record, I tend to doubt their polls) show Kerry in good position in the swing states. It'll be a fight- but I'm certainly not going to back down because George Bush lands a few punches.
-Gerald Collins